Peter Collinson—Memorials of John Bartram and Humphrey Marshall [pp. 416-450]

1John Bartram and Dr. Garden.
epithet, or the immediate finger of God, to whom be all glory
and praise." * * * * * *
"I don't dwell so long on the vegetable kingdom, as though
I thought the wisdom and power of God were only manifest
therein. The contemplation of the mineral, and especially the
animal, will equally incline the pious heart to overflow with
daily adorations and praises to the grand Giver and Supporter
of universal life. But what amazing distant glories are disclosed in a midnight scene! Vast are the bodies which roll in
the immense expanse! Orbs beyond orbs without number, suns
beyond suns, systems beyond systems, with their proper inhabitants of the great Jehovah's empire, how can we look at these
without amazement, or contemplate the Divine Majesty that
rules them, without the most humble adoration? Esteeming
ourselves, with all our wisdom, but as one of the smallest atoms
of dust praising the living God, the great I AM.".
The promptings of this beautiful effusion will be better understood perhaps by here perusing one or two extracts from
Dr. Garden's prior letters to him:
"How eminently happy are those hours, which the humble
and philosophic mind spends in investigating and contemplating
the'inconceivable beauties and mechanism of the works of nature;
the true manifestations of that supremely wise and powerful
Agent who daily upholds and blesses us.
"May that Fatherly Being continue to enlighten your mind,
till that hour come, when the parting of this veil will lay before
your eyes a new and more glorious field of contemplation, and
still more unutterable sights of bliss."
Dr. Garden had before written to him in these words:
"I rejoice with you, on your increasing collection of these
curious productions of the all-wise hand of our omnipotent
Creator. May your soul be daily more filled with an humble
admiration of his works, and your lips exercised in his praise."
* * * *.*
"When this scene of things passes away, and the great and
first Author of all leads us to fields of a more rich and fertile
clime, there shall we proceed with fresh vigour and enlarged
faculties to view him nearer, worship and adore more strongly,
and live more willingly within the pale of universal love. How
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